Beautifying the Farmstead. 45 



It must be recognized, however, that this is not as easy to accom- 

 plish without interfering with other vital considerations as is the 

 planting 1 about the house. For example, with dairy and stock barns 

 it is not, as a rule, possible to plant close to the south side, because 

 of overshading the yards in winter, thus depriving the cattle of the 

 full sunshine and also possibly making the yards a mudhole. In. 

 many cases the south is the principal viewpoint. Sometimes, how- 

 ever, trees can be planted to overhang the corners of the barn (fig. 

 '40), or if it is not too high can be behind it, partially framing it in 

 foliage. Here, again, care must be used both in selecting varieties 

 and in placing them so that the tops will not interfere with hauling 

 in hay and grain or the trunks interfere with other necessary work. 



FIG. 50. A screen of trees protecting the house from objectionable winds. The trees 

 will ultimately form an attractive background for the house. 



Paddocks are needed on almost all farms, and the inclusion of a 

 few trees in the lot is helpful to the stock. When such paddocks can 

 be located between the barns and the road their appearance can be 

 greatly improved, while at the same time the land is fully utilized. 

 Orchards frequently can be planned to help in the problem. It is not 

 always easy to find the right solution, but when it is once realized 

 that a barn unsupported by greenery is as much a blot on the land- 

 scape as a house so located, efforts will be made to bring about a 

 better condition. Many of the obstacles w r ill be found more imagi- 

 nary than real, although there will be enough real ones left to re- 

 quire genuine, well-directed, energetic effort in order to solve the 

 problem of making the farmstead homelike. 



It is sometimes asked whether trees near a barn may not be dan- 

 gerous by drawing lightning. They are much more likely to act as 



